PCM Diagnostics & Tuning HP Tuners | Holley | Diablo

Shooting flames..all in the tune?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 20, 2018 | 05:18 AM
  #1  
Redbull87's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Liked
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 808
Likes: 62
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Default Shooting flames..all in the tune?

With all the rave of guys getting launch control/2 step units.Some just plug n play and go..others are highly modded cars with a tune. I see lots of guys shooting large flames and banging popping effects.Which ofcourse always gives the wow cool factor but how safe is that on the internals? I assume that with the unburnt fuel and having it ignite can eventually shorten life somewhere on some components. My setup with using an msd 2 step and now a lingenfelter box never shoots flames no matter what rpm its set too. My tuner has mentioned that he tunes boosted cars to be cleaner/safer on decel to prevent lean pops etc. My car hits 2 step and cleaner builds boost without all the loud bangs or flameage. Id love to see my car do it but not if its risking failure of my motor.

Whats all involved in the tune that gives this dramatic effect while on the launch control?
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2018 | 07:47 AM
  #2  
LQ4-E39's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 161
Default

Retarding the timing (and or partially cutting spark) and richening the mixture during the "2 step event" is what makes fire.

Here is the info I found on the topic, but my application is a cammed NA LS3 in a C5

https://ls1tech.com/forums/pcm-diagn...t-2000-c5.html
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2018 | 07:55 AM
  #3  
01ssreda4's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (96)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Default

Think about combustion, piston comes up, mixture gets compressed, spark, out the exhaust. What if you make the spark really late, and add extra fuel, yep you're allowing the combustion bang to go out the exhaust valve/pipe before the process completes. Not sure how this effects engines internals but having a raw combustion process taking place in the pipes and turbo can't be good for them, but is exactly why it makes the turbo spool. Double edged sword.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2018 | 05:06 PM
  #4  
Redbull87's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Liked
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 808
Likes: 62
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Default

Originally Posted by 01ssreda4
Think about combustion, piston comes up, mixture gets compressed, spark, out the exhaust. What if you make the spark really late, and add extra fuel, yep you're allowing the combustion bang to go out the exhaust valve/pipe before the process completes. Not sure how this effects engines internals but having a raw combustion process taking place in the pipes and turbo can't be good for them, but is exactly why it makes the turbo spool. Double edged sword.
True,in my head..doing it that way can lead to burnt exhaust valves and build up carbon faster. The launch control isnt adding more fuel and my tuner has assured me its not tuned to act in this fashion. i got build almost 6psi with the lingenfelter box and it leaves hard. Doesnt crack the theactrics everyone assumes should happen when i get on the 2 step
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2018 | 11:29 PM
  #5  
truckdoug's Avatar
9 Second Club
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,389
Likes: 558
From: Portlandia
Default

probably won't hurt it as long as you dont sit on it for a solid minute straight like the damn subaru vape-heads around here do
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2018 | 08:17 AM
  #6  
01ssreda4's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (96)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Default

Yeah, Im all for common sense. There is way too many people on a two step, if it hurt **** nobody would be doing it. Use with discretion, get on it when needed to stage and that's it. Only in short bursts makes sense as heat takes time to build right? Really no different then loading a converter at the line. Wanna **** off an old school guy? Let him stage and get up on the converter and then something happen where the tree doesn't fall. Trans overheats real quick. They have to back off at some point or burn the trans up. I figure a two step is the same thing.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2018 | 08:49 AM
  #7  
Luke19901's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
Default

flames on deceleration is excessive fuel still being injected with almost no timing, in most cases negative timing on the coast down. the fuel is compressed by the piston but the spark ignites it so late that the burning mixture is pushed out the exhaust. with too much fuel and it being ignites post TDC the combustion process is lengthened in time allowing it to still be in progress as the piston pushes the cylinder contents out the exhaust. bigger flames..... more timing retard and more fuel.

flames on 2 step.... 2 step is typically to build boost on the line for a turbo car. excessively rich AFR, whilst hurting power and torque cause the turbo to spool faster. simply because more fuel being combusted, the greater the volume of air created when the cylinder mixture is combusted and heated. the cylinder mixture expands from the heat and is consequently a greater volume that now needs to pushed out the turbine while, the more gas volume pushing on the wheel the faster it will spin. add to this retarded timing.... again allowing the cylinder mixture to be combusting and in turn rapidly expanding as its entering the exhaust system. the combination of those two things make the turbo spool much faster than normal. its not uncommon to see a 2 step of 4200rpm, 10.5:1 AFR and -6 degrees spark. that will make it blow huge flames. the addition of alcohol based fuels make the flames bigger and different colours.

its terrible for the pistons, rods and bearings.... but given its limited use in a race application its not all bad.

use it all the time on a street car and you can crack ring lands, bend rods and bruise big end bearings
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2018 | 09:22 PM
  #8  
truckdoug's Avatar
9 Second Club
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,389
Likes: 558
From: Portlandia
Default

nah the only thing 2 steps used as an anti lag can hurt is exhaust valves and you gotta be really trying
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 12:42 AM
  #9  
gametech's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,915
Likes: 908
From: Stockbridge GA
Default

Originally Posted by Redbull87
With all the rave of guys getting launch control/2 step units.Some just plug n play and go..others are highly modded cars with a tune. I see lots of guys shooting large flames and banging popping effects.Which ofcourse always gives the wow cool factor but how safe is that on the internals? I assume that with the unburnt fuel and having it ignite can eventually shorten life somewhere on some components. My setup with using an msd 2 step and now a lingenfelter box never shoots flames no matter what rpm its set too. My tuner has mentioned that he tunes boosted cars to be cleaner/safer on decel to prevent lean pops etc. My car hits 2 step and cleaner builds boost without all the loud bangs or flameage. Id love to see my car do it but not if its risking failure of my motor.

Whats all involved in the tune that gives this dramatic effect while on the launch control?
Please spend your time learning how to make your car better, instead of learning to waste time keeping up with posers who have a need to be noticed. I promise the extra knowledge you gain will make your car faster/better handling/ easier to live with. People who cannot do that shoot flames out their *** to make up for it.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2018 | 05:59 PM
  #10  
G Atsma's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,298
Likes: 3,619
From: Central Cal.
Default

It's about the GO, not the SHOW.....
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2018 | 09:54 AM
  #11  
truckdoug's Avatar
9 Second Club
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,389
Likes: 558
From: Portlandia
Default

I like a nice anti lag flame now and again. Nothing wrong with doing mods for strictly aesthetic reasons...we all do this for fun anyways
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2018 | 07:57 PM
  #12  
Redbull87's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Liked
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 808
Likes: 62
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Default

Originally Posted by gametech
Please spend your time learning how to make your car better, instead of learning to waste time keeping up with posers who have a need to be noticed. I promise the extra knowledge you gain will make your car faster/better handling/ easier to live with. People who cannot do that shoot flames out their *** to make up for it.

I wasnt asking for the sake of trying to achieve it.just understanding the events in the tune that cause it to happen because i know my tune was setup not to produce such events as best as possible. I wasnt sure that to guys who do make such large flames and 2 step battle their cars all the time..if its worth the show for the damage it can create.

I only use the 2 step at the track for the most part. Ive had my car 11yrs with many different setups,I got the 2 step for launch control..not for the show scene.Dont mistake that Im trying to keep up with posers to make up for not having a quick car.i get more ppl asking if something is wrong with my car since it doesnt shoot flames on a 2 step for the power it makes..youtube has people twisted for rev battles..popping.flames these days.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2019 | 02:56 AM
  #13  
gametech's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,915
Likes: 908
From: Stockbridge GA
Default

Originally Posted by Redbull87
I wasnt asking for the sake of trying to achieve it.just understanding the events in the tune that cause it to happen because i know my tune was setup not to produce such events as best as possible. I wasnt sure that to guys who do make such large flames and 2 step battle their cars all the time..if its worth the show for the damage it can create.

I only use the 2 step at the track for the most part. Ive had my car 11yrs with many different setups,I got the 2 step for launch control..not for the show scene.Dont mistake that Im trying to keep up with posers to make up for not having a quick car.i get more ppl asking if something is wrong with my car since it doesnt shoot flames on a 2 step for the power it makes..youtube has people twisted for rev battles..popping.flames these days.
Apparently I misunderstood your reason for asking the question. Shooting flames out of the exhaust is wasted energy that should have been absorbed by the turbo. With a 2 step or an antilag setup the fueling is increased while decreasing the timing in order to burn fuel in the exhaust. This pressurizes the turbo more than would otherwise happen. The easy hack way of doing this is just to cram in fuel and kill timing in bulk amounts. This leads to shooting flames out your ***. Flaming exhaust pipes are a sure sign someone did not spend enough time optimizing your tune.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:24 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE